On the Lot contest?

author	subject: On the Lot contest?
smaisch (original message) View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 7:42:09 AM Anyone seen the previews for the Speilberg reality TV show called "On the Lot"? Indy film makers submit their shorts to www.thelot.com and have a chance at a $1 million production. I havent read all the details, but it sounds intriquing. Anyone submitting? I was thinking of submitting our latest endeavor. Steve
richke View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 9:09:59 AM i am in pre-production now. I have my script(made from a writing comp this month) Only thing i hate is it can only be 5 minutes long...blah! How do you tell a good story in five minutes. Good luck and wish me luck on my Mini DV camera while you guys rock out your sweet cameras.

smaisch View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 10:14:38 AM Well i plan on taking my 15 min short and condensing it into a decent trailer. If it goes nowhere, so be it. Oh, and all I have is a Canon GL2, so dont be too jealous. LOL
richke View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 10:30:59 AM i wish i had that, thats what i wanted to buy but it was too expensive...mine is a Pansonic GS300...trying to find a mic to hook to it. good luck on the trailer. I have the same attitude. I'm going to give this a shot and see what happens...i hope the judges understand that the direction is more important than the film quality...not that i have good direction :)
SONNYBOO View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 10:43:49 AM I submitted last week.
smaisch View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 11:07:21 AM Great Sonyboo submitted. Might as well quit now :) JK.... may the best team win.
$1000 View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 11:27:00 AM The purpose of reality TV is to create a mass audiences by publicly humiliating people. I can't imagine this will be any different. God help anyone who gets selected.
FilmSail View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 11:30:32 AM Yeah been researching it for awhile now, had some ideas and was seriously going to enter but after much thought and deliberation decided against it. I am a reality show junky unfortunately and have yet to see one where the subject at hand is the main focus and really searching for the best is what it's all about. Except for maybe American Idol...all the rest though are just about the drama and tension created for the reality show and the main goal is just an afterthought. Just my opinion though. I did see that Vince with Kisses & Caroms had entered, but his film got slammed by the peer folks that viewed and took the time to mention something about his trailer. Just more of the same feeding ground that was around Project Greenlight...so we'll see. But again do you really want to be known in Hollywood when your trying to get a film made or work as the "On The Lot Guy"????
slider_alt View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 12:14:41 PM I'm not a big "American Idol" fan, but I saw the commercial when I was sitting on the couch with my mother. At first I was like "Hmmm...maybe I should enter". But then I thought about it and said "Nahhh". As much as I like shows like "Project Greenlight", I don't ever want to be on a reality show. They always make the inexperienced person trying to break into Hollywood look like a moron. I'm definitely no where near close to perfect, so I know they'd be playing that stuff up for the audience as much as they could. Plus even if you make it and get a deal going, people are more likely to always think of you as some guy who won a contest instead of the real deal. I got nothing against anyone who enters, and I think it's cool if you feel like you can handle the pressure, but it just isn't for me. If I'm going to make it, I rather make it under different circumstances.
richke View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 12:16:05 PM i probbaly wont get selected either...but being known as the lot guy or not being known at all...tough one. :)
RocketCar View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 12:16:23 PM People are NOT knocking on John Gulager's door...
Caduta View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 12:51:42 PM You choose your fame. If you merely want to be famous then go for it. Your star will shoot fast and high and descend almost as fast and low... it'll all be over in 6 months...for the rest of your life. Then it'll be onto the really hard work of trying to milk the fact that you were 'that bloke on that reality show' by appearing on tv as much as possible until you croak. Raffles are raffles... not life. Coming second or third would be far better than winning. If you win you're dead in the water, forever remembered as that bloke on that reality show... always stigmatised. If you come 2nd 3rd 4th or 5th then you've hopefully been able to advertise your talents without making a total!$%*of yourself and maybe....just maybe...someone will want to work with you. That's my opinion anyway :)
richke View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 1:12:52 PM i'm surprised that you wouldnt take the chance...you dont have to sell your soul or act like an ass to win unless you choose to act in that manner. How many chances(really think about it) are you going to have a chance at $1 million dollar budget. I undertsand the premise of the show...but i would be more excited about being able to shoot a different movie with real camera guys, lighting experts, actors...i dont even know if i care about winning but more so the hands on experience i would get being picked. Those of you that went to school for this, then yeah i couldnt see it being worth anything, but for those of us who have minimal filming experince(which probably wont get us picked) then yeah it's a great OP...and the chance to meet Speilberg...you don't think that would be cool? :) And Rocket i'd say "Who's Jogn G." but then you'd say...point proven :)
SONNYBOO View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 1:33:18 PM Great Sonyboo submitted. Might as well quit now :) >>> I'm hardly worth anyone not entering... FYI - the website stuff & submission are not really any kind of consideration for the show itself. The submission on DVD to MARK BURNETT PRODUCTIONS is the only one that will relate to the casting for the show. (is it really "casting" for real people?) If I get on the show, I will model myself after PUCK from MTV's the Real World.
FilmSail View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 1:35:23 PM Rich, I have a ton of friends "in the business" since I was one myself and still have a hand in Hollywood and to my connection. And I have 2 friends that are big time in reality show productions. One actually is a story editor who’s job it is to take what comes out of your mouth, be harmless or true and twist, edit, turn, and create it into something that fits their storyline. So making an!$%*of myself wouldn't be the case, it would be the editors choice. As for working with "real camera guys, lighting experts, actors" I have and will continue to do so. I understand the draw for it so don’t get me wrong I just know I can get there myself without having to go through the whole ordeal of being paraded on national television in whatever manner they see fit. But I guess I fall under your "Thos of you that went to school for this, then yeah i couldn’t see it being worth anything" And finally "the chance to meet Speilberg...you don't think that would be cool?"...been there, done that. Though not in a working relationship where he is judging me or interacting. I am curious though (as in John Gulager's case on Project Greenlight) how many Indie people, especially here, would feel in the "Hollywood" environment. I mean I've been on these boards for a long time now, and I check it regularly and read most of the threads. And I wonder how people here would take to the structured business world of Hollywood filmmaking. I mean it really is an entirely different beast then what goes on in any of the productions made by the indies here. It is a business first...and the screaming, butt kissing, boot licking that has, will, and does go on is very degrading. I would never crush anyone’s dreams, quite the contrary but I have always wondered about that. You saw it a little with John Gulager when he tried to hang onto alot of his "Indie" ideals only to see things like a professional casting director roll her eyes, mock him, ignore his wishes and put forth her own ideas usurping him. It's just an interesting thought. But I do wish all those who have applied the best of luck and as a reality show viewer would love to see you guys on the show following your dreams.
richke View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 2:06:43 PM "So making an!$%*of myself wouldn't be the case, it would be the editors choice." that scares me now :)
Johnny Wu View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 2:11:47 PM I found out about The Lot last June 2006 and did some checking, after reading and much consideration, I decided not to enter, partly cause I do not want to see myself being the subject of 'other people's fun' and putting my production skeleton in the public eye :) So, although it's a great opportunity (probably), I wish those who enter, the best of luck.
SONNYBOO View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 2:19:58 PM I hope I get on the show just BECAUSE I want to make an a$$ of myself on national TV. I get made fun of all the time, so why not let the whole country in on the joke? I never intended to submit until one of the producers emailed me & asked me to last week. It's a little wierd. after Project Greenlight 3 disqualified me for being a "professional", meaning I had been paid for directing and also had distribution for short films, I assumed I would never be able to get in on this show, but their rules are mighty different. It's from the producers of SURVIVOR and THE APPRENTICE teamed with Steven Spielberg. Project Greenlight meets American Idol.... making short films each week and people getting voted off the show by the public. I'm very cynical about the whole thing, but submitted because I would rather take the chance than not at all.
FilmSail View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 2:25:02 PM Rich, Well Like I said please dont let anything I said diswaid you...march on and enjoy the experience just be away alot of what you'll do will be out of your hands. Both by the story editor and creators of the reality show, and by the Hollywood brass. But trust me I will be watching every episode...damn reality TV lol. Sonny, I myself was still going to submit a short but what I was unsure of is can we say no thank you if we ara accepted? If that is an option I would have submitted.
Caduta View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 2:46:07 PM This prize giving show works like any prize giving show. Lets take "Do You Want To Be A Millionaire". They give away a million bucks if you win. Why? Because they've already made well over a million bucks in advertising fees during the process of getting there. So along comes "On The Lot". They're giving away a million dollar deal. Why? Because they're hoping to make more than a million on advertising fees...much much more if they can. What's gonna send that advertising dollar up? Ratings. What sends ratings up? Your!$%falling off some garbage truck into a vat of excrement. Once you've won the show and you're off with your million dollar deal what are the makers of the show gonna get back from you? Perhaps a small fraction of the profits from your first film but after that... nothing. So their main focus is to make as much money off you whilst they've got you... afterwards they couldn't care less. So what does this mean? This means that their ideal candidate for prime time tv watching is gonna be more of an!$%than they are a good director. Audiences aren't gonna watch some nice guy make a decent film and live happily ever after... and reality tv show makers know that. If a nice guy wins the only way to make the show watchable is to make sure you throw enough idiots at him that he falls on his!$%hard and never gets back up. Far better to make sure, when it comes to voting, that the judges have "what makes good tv" in their minds rather than "whos most deserving". This is entertainment their making here... at the expense of a bunch of naive youngsters dreams and hopes. Every single candidate will be dewy eyed and naively optimistic about their talent and the glorious future that awaits them should they win. But every one of them will have been hand picked because they are either susceptible to being messed around with or they're tragic idiots who will inevitably drive themselves into chaos. Nothing could be better for the tv company than a show full of egomanic idiots who can't get anything right and end up looking stupid every time the camera gets turned on. That way the tv company rakes in millions due to high ratings; profits which nicely offset it's prize of a measly 1 million dollar deal. In the end, of course, the aim is to make sure the winner is someone which the whole of america can nod their heads and say "yeah s/he should've won". That won't mean they were actually the best who applied... it'll just mean that the show portrayed them in such a light from the start that it led them neatly into the role of winner whilst leading the others into the roles of freaks, bigots, !$%es and idiots. I'd rather be in control of my life than surrender it to the producer of a reality tv show.
RocketCar View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 3:41:29 PM "And Rocket i'd say "Who's Jogn G." but then you'd say...point proven :)" As you may have gathered from the other replies, he "won" Project Green Light by being chosen to direct the feature "FEAST". And his budget was (i believe) 2 million. The film never got theatrical release (or very limited) and wasn't great. I don't think he was really in his genre. But, it was better than "The Tripper". Anyways, I know a guy who knows Gulager, and he's not being inundated with offers to direct. He can say "I'm the guy from PGL" and they say "Who?". BUT, I would wager he's nevertheless more plugged in now than he was before. I dunno. I think I'd do it if I had more directing experience. But I agree, you're probably better off coming in second or third.
maddogmike View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 4:29:15 PM But Feast rocked -- Gulager did a great job. The action scenes could have used more coverage, but overall a fun movie. Do you really thing Gulager won't work again?
RocketCar View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 4:53:42 PM Naw, he'll work. I'm just saying it wasn't the instant springboard to success that is American Idle [sic]. And Feast was pretty good - he's got a great eye and dark style. But the story got destroyed in preproduction and I found it kind of repetitive and empty. Good, not great. Three stars.
James View My Profile	Posted: 1/18/2007 5:12:44 PM I'm entering. I want to meet Steven Speilburg just so I can ask him what it was like appearing in The Blues Brothers. Oh, I also heard he's a Hollywood icon and I might want to ask him about that too. :)
richke View My Profile	Posted: 1/19/2007 5:47:00 AM Film, I'm still going to enter :) If i get it done in time.
James View My Profile	Posted: 1/19/2007 7:21:41 AM I'm counting on the idea that "they" are not looking for 16 people with the most polished films or the best special effects. I believe they will be looking for people who can tell a compelling story. That kind of levels the playing field. It won't matter if one guy has access to great film equipment and actors and the next guy doesn't. What will matter (I hope) is the ability to produce something good. We all agree that a state of the art camera doesn't make your film any more interesting to the audience... and for anyone who is intimidated by an "accomplished Indie" entering the competition, I say don't think like that. Experience and accomplishment doesn't mean anything if you don't have the ability to tell interesting stories to wide audiences. Horror is but one genre and I doubt the judges will be impressed by special effects and costumes. I hope what they are looking for is talented cinematic storytellers.
td View My Profile	Posted: 1/19/2007 8:06:44 AM sonnyboo, I hope you get on and give that damned editor TONS of material to work with!!! LOL! I wouldn't bother submitting for a multitude of reasons listed above. Especially because they are obviously looking for "kids" and "young" filmakers. Whutupwidat? td.
Johnny Wu View My Profile	Posted: 1/19/2007 8:14:42 AM Hey td, but your profile's picture, you are young :)
FilmSail View My Profile	Posted: 1/19/2007 8:35:20 AM Well you guys better get going...Submissions need to be in by February 16th.
cberquist View My Profile	Posted: 1/19/2007 10:55:31 AM "I'm counting on the idea that "they" are not looking for 16 people with the most polished films or the best special effects. I believe they will be looking for people who can tell a compelling story. That kind of levels the playing field." -- Doubtful. I think they are looking for the 16 most castable people. Who knows what this really means, but judging from other reality shows it probably means the best looking, most combustible personalities. I think that if they really cared about just the work, they wouldn't want tapes of people introducing their films. I have been on reality tv shoots and they are the farthest thing from reality there is. I thought about entering this, but decided against it for several reasons. It'd be great to learn from Steven Speilberg, but how much learning would you really get? I'm guessing about as much as JohnG got to learn from Wes Craven (a couple hours on his set). A deal to make a film with a million dollar budget? Gee whiz. That's not much of a union project. Plus, how much is the studio really going to promote their $1m project? Their promotion is probably going to come mostly through the reality TV show. Who is really going to watch the show? As they found with PGL, probably not many people outside of aspiring filmmaker circles are interested in this type of "Reality" show. The main reason I am not entering though is I am just kind of over working on projects that I am not into for the hope of winning a contest. I have too much work as it is without spending a bunch of time on some doritos commercial or contest like this when it is probbly all going to come down to whether or not I have the right "look" for some casting assistant to pass my tape on to somebody else's assitant. I'd rather spend the time working on my next script and trying to get that made. Who knows though, if I was contacted by a producer like Sonnyboo was, I'd probably enter too. One thing I do wonder about though is why they keep slipping the date for entries. The thing has been pushed back at least 3-4 times that I know of, yet I have talked to filmmakers who have already received their paperwork to go on to the next round. What does this mean? Are they just trying to milk all the publicity they can out of it, or have they just not found their Puck yet?
James View My Profile	Posted: 1/19/2007 11:25:28 AM Such bitterness.
cberquist View My Profile	Posted: 1/19/2007 11:39:58 AM Ha Ha. Possibly. I really don't like much reality TV (or contests for that matter). Good luck to all those that enter though. Since I will probably watch this show, it would be good to see somebody from indieclub on it. That way I could say I read them way back when..
Kisses And Caroms View My Profile	Posted: 1/19/2007 11:43:33 AM FilmSail - I did see that Vince with Kisses & Caroms had entered, but his film got slammed by the peer folks that viewed and took the time to mention something about his trailer. 3900 views is reason enough to enter. http://films.thelot.com/films/1726 Take a peek, leave a comment.
cberquist View My Profile	Posted: 1/19/2007 11:53:23 AM So Vince, have you received your paperwork to go on to the next round?
FilmSail View My Profile	Posted: 1/19/2007 12:12:24 PM Vince... I guess, but it just seems like more tear down like PGL was in it's heyday (did it really every have one?) But I guess if it adds some sales or interest to your film it's cool to put up there. I'll go on later and throw something up for ya. There are a few projects on there that make me go..."man I wish I thought of that premise" but nothing that really jumps out at me. But like I said I will definitely be watching and would love to see a Vince or Sonnyboo on there (especially since I met both of them and can I say I know them ;-) Vince where's that coattail line begin? lol) Seriously it would be awesome for someone here to make it so I'm here pulling for ya. That way I can personally ask & see how it turns out for ya and then decide if I wanna try for Season 2. So who's all trying again.... Vince Peter Steve (possibly) Rich James Ok so who else…
Bradley Wilson View My Profile	Posted: 1/19/2007 4:09:15 PM I was involved in "Compassion / Contempt" (as the fast-food worker and various behind-the-scenes tasks).
Jacy View My Profile	Posted: 1/19/2007 7:11:01 PM There are two types of Caroms, a hard hit and a soft hit. For both, one basic element applies - a line down the middle of the target pocket at the point where the two balls meet. Which was it:)
SONNYBOO View My Profile	Posted: 2/17/2007 4:28:58 PM Looks like that site & contest are going full tilt boogie now. Over 16,000 confirmed submissions (probably more since the post mark was yesterday). Nicholas cages brother Chris Coppola (nephew of Francis Ford Coppola) has caused a stir because of who he is. Several people are complaining that it's not fair... but the rules state it's open to professionals and amateurs. Anyone else on there yet? My film went live yesterday (CLICK HERE)
stonersrun View My Profile	Posted: 2/17/2007 5:02:22 PM I believe in Steven Spielberg, who has a fantastic record of giving young, TALENTED, unknown filmmakers their first shot. I read somewhere that when Sid Sheinberg gave unknown Spielberg his first shot at directing, he made Spielberg promise to do the same for someone else. Spielberg has done and then some with Robert Zemekis, Chris Columbus, Sam Mendes to name just a few. (Well, Mendes was already well known in the theater as a wunderkind.) If Chris Coppola believed in indepent filmmaking, he should step down to give someone who wouldnt otherwise have the opportunity to make a big budget feature a chance. Chris Coppola will always have that opportunity.
cberquist View My Profile	Posted: 2/17/2007 5:04:02 PM Yeah, but Chris Coppola will get viewers to tune into this show and that is really what it is all about.
stonersrun View My Profile	Posted: 2/17/2007 10:29:18 PM I think Spielberg's The Lot is a good enough product to not have to resort for gimmicks for ratings. The potential of Spielberg's show is to showcase the next Zemekis or the next Sam Mendes before they blow up. If Chris has that potential so be it. From God to Spielberg to every other filmmaker out there, what does Spielberg really care about ratings. Sure he wants his TV show to be successful, but damn Spielberg is richer that some countries. I even have his video game, Medal of Honor, personally contributing more to another billion dollar industry that he is directly involved with.
stonersrun View My Profile	Posted: 2/17/2007 11:00:41 PM Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis say students can change the face of filmmaking if they only play more video games. Spielberg, Zemeckis say video games, films could become one I thought this was an interesting article and kind of seen this coming with animations. When the story telling in video games reach the next level, they might achieve the next level of filmmaking. I dont know how this will affect live action in the future.
SONNYBOO View My Profile	Posted: 2/18/2007 8:52:02 AM No other Indie Clubbers have entered?
maddogmike View My Profile	Posted: 2/18/2007 10:35:44 AM Not me, but an internet friend of mine, Hank Braxtan, has an entry here: http://films.thelot.com/films/16356
td View My Profile	Posted: 2/18/2007 6:20:47 PM http://films.thelot.com/films/16356 that was a pretty fun film. Hope he does well. td
Bob Hart View My Profile	Posted: 2/19/2007 8:02:35 AM Well, I must confess, this silly old tick has entered. I am however a realist - no hope of getting up, but hopefully keeping the profile of my project alive. Look under the moniker "agus35monk" if you are curious to discover if I am a totally talentless blowhard. Contestants are not supposed to tout for views, critiques or ratings via on-site discussion threads or off-site on other forums like this one. So if you look, please do not critique or rate. There have been a few entertaining goodies submitted. I tend to dig around away from the mainstream, usually starting at page three of any category.
Bob View My Profile	Posted: 2/19/2007 9:10:34 AM These "reality" shows only prove that there is no end to the amount of humiliation that people will willingly subject themselves to. This goes back to a post I made earlier about what people will do to be in show-biz (and then complain how they are being treated so poorly). They'll never learn. I'm with cberquist on this one. Your time and effort is, statistically speaking, much better spent on developing your own talents the old-fashioned way. What could happen? If you're talented (and I mean truly gifted), this might boost your career, but if you're gifted, then that success would have probably come to you without the need to be made a fool of on national TV (in fact, what if you're gifted but the producers decide that you should be the bad guy and cast you in that light. You could actually damage your potential!) Ok, then there are the other 99-44/100% of the population. The producers know (probably better than you do) that you have a snowball's chance in hell, based on your talent, so they know that there's no point in worrying about that, they're looking for program fodder. They know the show they want to produce (as would any good director and producer) and are casting for their show. They are not seeking contenders, they are seeking characters. So, again, if you're a serious ACTOR, this might make some sense, but for a filmmaker? yeah, right. Wake up and smell the coffee and just go down to the quickie-mart and buy some more lottery tickets.
Alex View My Profile	Posted: 2/19/2007 1:17:57 PM Well, I agree the goal of the show is not to cast everyone in a good light. There's no way to deny that. However, the flip side is that if you make a film they'll show it. Even if you get kicked off week 1 you still got to show more people 1 film than many talented filmmakers ever will. In my opinion, it comes down to... do you want to entertain an audience with a movie you made, or do you want everyone to think you're a really nice person? Kubrick and Cameron are well known for yelling on set. I doubt either minded too much what people thought of them as long as they got what they wanted and got to show it to other people. That's my view.
Kisses And Caroms View My Profile	Posted: 2/19/2007 6:53:01 PM Bob - "These "reality" shows only prove that there is no end to the amount of humiliation that people will willingly subject themselves to. This goes back to a post I made earlier about what people will do to be in show-biz (and then complain how they are being treated so poorly)." Not I. As long as the my name is spelled correctly on the check. I won't complain. "Your time and effort is, statistically speaking, much better spent on developing your own talents the old-fashioned way." The time and effort I've put in to the On the Lot contest hasn't (at the very most) exceeded 20 hours. I can't imagine how I could have better spent 20 hours, that can result in the same potential exposure. Even as we speak, I am not a winner or a finalest, yet 5000 more peopl have been exposed to my trailer. 20 hours work for 5000 customers, that is nothing. "... that you have a snowball's chance in hell,... Wake up and smell the coffee and just go down to the quickie-mart and buy some more lottery tickets." Right now I stand a 1 in about 17,000 chance. That is far better then ANY lotto stat I've seen.
SONNYBOO View My Profile	Posted: 2/19/2007 9:32:59 PM Yeah, the grand total submissions will be short of 30,000 (close to 24,000). Take into account that 75%-85% of those submissions are amateur, no talent crap and your odds increase significantly. Far better than any lottery I've ever heard of either. I have spent very little time or effort. I submitted an existing short film, so I feel it's a good opportunity. I'm still proceeding with my development on my 2 features this year regardless. I won't get delusional and put my life on hold unless there's something to hold it for.
Bob Hart View My Profile	Posted: 2/19/2007 10:11:47 PM Since the site ruled off on the last submissions, there seems to have been a huge cutdown on bandwidth or maybe too many people logging in, as I cannot get in to the personal homepage section or into critique/score fields. The computer bogs halfway through the download of the page but can still access some of the clips directly.
Scott H View My Profile	Posted: 2/20/2007 1:09:15 PM I entered as well. Wait and see...
Robert K Wiegert View My Profile	Posted: 2/23/2007 10:10:21 PM Mine went live a couple days ago and as usual everyone hates it. Hell...I wouldn't have it any other way!! 911 "On The Lot"
Westerken View My Profile	Posted: 2/24/2007 11:33:35 AM I submitted back in September, back when the deadline was September, but have never found my film anywhere on their board. And at that time there were like 12 films on the whole board. After I scrambled to do that they moved the deadline. I figure my film got lost in the shuffle and that's just as well. I submitted because I couldn't pass on the $1 million/ Spielberg opportunity, but I don't want to be reality fodder.
Scott H View My Profile	Posted: 2/25/2007 9:33:52 AM I figure that it might be worth the whole "reality tv" experience to get even a small shot. Not all reality shows are Flavor of Love. And to be honest, it sounds like fun. Wouldn't it be cool if an indieclub person made on though?
SONNYBOO View My Profile	Posted: 2/25/2007 12:24:58 PM I hope at least 1 out of 16 is an IndieClub member. Give the shout out for this forum on TV.
Scott H View My Profile	Posted: 2/25/2007 1:58:46 PM I would love to make it on the show, but it's so subjective. Never know what the casting people are going to focus on. Do they want pretty people or filmmakers. Are they looking for people who will succeed or people that padded their ratings and are clueless. The kind of people would provide the necessary drama to sell commercial spots. I'm really curious what the numbers are of people who have submitted. No offense to SonnyBoo, but I have hard time believing that many more than a few thousand have submitted. I do agree that a lot of them are very amateurish. I wonder how many will be asked to interview as well. If anyone gets on the show Eric should hook them up with a some indieclub gear to wear.
LJR View My Profile	Posted: 2/26/2007 2:55:37 AM I like Westerken.. entered back when the deadline was September, but from what I can tell, they wanted everyone to resubmit. Decided to sit this one out and see what happens. Was seriously thinking about it though. To those of you who have posted your submissions here, I've seen most of them and a few are really good. Hope someone from here wins and gets in. Good Luck.
Scott H View My Profile	Posted: 2/27/2007 12:05:50 AM I have to admit I'm a bit fed up with the whole ratings things at On The Lot. There are a ton of movies who have been padded by fake avatars and friends voting for them. So their particular ratings are through the roof. And on the other end of the spectrum there a bunch of people on there that simply go from movie to movie totally dismissing the movies and handing out single stars like they were running out or something. This is symptomatic of the greater issue of people on the internet who can't seem to reasonably filter themselves. There are times when I would love for those people to be teleported to a chair across a table from me, and I would love to see if their particular response and/or statement would stand... I doubt it.
manta View My Profile	Posted: 2/27/2007 4:04:35 PM In the end I don't think it will be a question of what films have the most stars but what is exceptional. Honestly a lot of them on there are quite good but no or one stars and some derogartory comments posted. Now to me I think that really blows but hey Speilberg is calling the shots so you never know. The one/no stars could the THE ONES. 2nd I was considering of entering but decided against it, mainly for the sole purpose of being labled as "that person from the show" . If you have a good film you will be noticed and fame will follow. And even thou in the end the individual will have their moment of fame it does die out eventually. I heard a funny quote I think it was on a late night talk show (Lettermen or Leno) but someone said, we remember everyone who won the Academy Awards now but 6 months-1 year from now we will forget it happens. Also do you honestly think that they are going to go through all those millions of submissions seperately, I think they will look at the first 1-2 minutes then decide from there. Considering the premire is in May they will need to make their decisions within the next month or so and also this is REALITY television so of course they are looking for the most interesting character personalites as well. It's just like SURVIVOR, THE APPRENTICE, AMERICAN IDOL and the others.
SONNYBOO View My Profile	Posted: 2/27/2007 6:16:11 PM Here's some "reality" to the contest, the site, and the show... #1. The site is a joke. Ratings on the site, and really ANYTHING to do with the site is erroneous. FOX runs the website, and someone in casting with MARK BURNETT PRODUCTIONS clearly said that the website has NOTHING to do with casting for the show. MBP is running the series, FOX is running the site. They don't look at it or take it into consideration in any way. #2. They have not cast the 16 people for the show, but they are already doing stuff. A cinematographer I know was asked to shoot 2 different shorts for people in the 2nd round (one in LA one in San Fran - they didn't know each other). So if you haven't been contacted, the chances are very slim that you will be considered for the show. #3. It's impossible to predict the future. NO ONE from Project Greenlight had an illustrious career, but many people from American Idol have done well (including an Oscar™ for a LOSER from American Idol...) -=-=-=-=-=-=- I can only speak for myself and say that I am not banking on this show or any other single opportunity. I entered, won't turn it down if it happens, but I'm also proceeding with my next project(s) as if it's not a possibility. I'm in favor of getting as many chances to succeed and not omitting anything.
cdc View My Profile	Posted: 2/27/2007 7:50:53 PM I heard the same thing about someone I know in LA who is up for the show and on the commercial, and as well from a DP shooting here. Good for you sonnyboo for "procedeeding" with your next projects. Any progress is good progress. "I'm in favor of getting as many chances to succeed and not omitting anything." couldn't agree with you more. Good film making, charles
manta View My Profile	Posted: 2/28/2007 3:48:17 PM Yeah SonnyBoo does have a point. I somewhat knew that site was a fluke. It seems that they already have who they want for the show since SonnyBoo mentioned that they have people already. About John Gulager (FEAST) if anyone saw PROJECT GREENLIGHT and his whole demeanor during the process isn't it obvious why Hollywood is not knocking on his door. The only thing to do is see how this pans out.
SONNYBOO View My Profile	Posted: 3/1/2007 9:34:06 AM They had SOME people in mind, but not all 16 of them. My understanding now is that with their original deadline, they only had 1,000 submissions, most of them terrible, not enough to make a good show. They extended the deadline, even reached out to peple to submit (like me), but then they got inundadted once the TV spots ran.
manta9 View My Profile	Posted: 3/1/2007 12:08:29 PM I guess they don't want this to become like PROJECT GREENLIGHT and being very selective. This isn't like SURVIVOR, or THE APPRENTICE.
maddogmike View My Profile	Posted: 3/1/2007 12:54:07 PM It looks like Apprentice or Last Comic Standing to me. They want semi-professionals who can churn out a movie every week, live & work together, and get kicked off at the close of each episode. Last Comic Standing had some unknowns, but also some comedians that had been touring for ten years or more. It's about creating a game show that will be appealing to audiences. Nothing wrong with that, as long as you know what you're getting into. The website thing is a weird offshoot however. I've gotten emails from people saying "please vote" as if it determined whether they get on the show. Too bad it's being misrepresented or at least misunderstood.
Scott H View My Profile	Posted: 3/2/2007 6:43:33 AM The site is obvious a cluster f#$k and has little to no information. It's too bad that we have to hear rumors of people going into production from the peripherals out in the web.
manta View My Profile	Posted: 3/2/2007 1:57:51 PM Yeah I've gotten the same thing making sound like they were already chosen, I haven't the heart to tell them that the website is a fluke and chances are they were not picked.
stefan avalos View My Profile	Posted: 3/2/2007 3:22:00 PM Speaking as someone who is does know him, John Gulager is doing just fine.
RocketCar View My Profile	Posted: 3/2/2007 5:16:12 PM I'm glad to hear that about Gulager. My info was second hand and maybe 9 months old... I think he's a really talented guy.
Scott H View My Profile	Posted: 3/3/2007 2:34:20 AM I wonder what the current status of the show is right now. There isn't a lot of chatter about the people who are already working on stuff. Honestly I has a little hesitation believing every little rumor.
LJR View My Profile	Posted: 3/4/2007 6:05:29 AM Speaking of Project Greenlight and John Gulager...was there ever a 3rd Project Greenlight DVD Release? I got PGL 1 & 2 series, but never heard of the 3rd season. Just see that the movie FEAST was finally released on DVD.
SONNYBOO View My Profile	Posted: 3/4/2007 10:28:03 AM It's NOT a rumor. I now know personally 3 filmmakers that have been given assignements to create new short films, plus get interviewed for the show. I assure you it's 100% true and real. They are under non-disclosure agreements and can't crow, but they are in round 2 (there is another round of the top 50 people in round 3, so there are a few hundred in round 2).
Scott H View My Profile	Posted: 3/5/2007 1:10:10 AM SonnyBoo, I hope you didn't take my comment personally. Not really my style to go after people. That said, it will be interesting to see who made it through and what they bring to the table.
FilmSail View My Profile	Posted: 3/20/2007 11:31:40 AM Lifted from the website: http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/ ..... Spielberg and Burnett “are enormously thrilled with” On the Lot submissions Steven Spielberg and producer Mark Burnett “are enormously thrilled with the response we’ve had to the call for film submissions” for their upcoming reality series On the Lot, Burnett says in a press release. While that’s a good sign they’re happy, it’s not like his made-up press release quotation would say, “We were tremendously disappointed by the crap we received.” And it is clearly a made-up quotation. Does someone clearly expect us to believe that real human beings, not press release-producing robots, talk like this, inserting all kinds of shameless promotion into their sentences? Here’s the full quotation for your amusement: “Steven and I are enormously thrilled with the response we’ve had to the call for film submissions via our website thelot.com. This confirms our notion that there is an incredible amount of talented filmmakers in the world looking for their big breaks. We are very excited that our partners at FOX have scheduled the launch of this series with the powerhouse AMERICAN IDOL finale and the premiere of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. Coming off of the success of ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER?, launching out of AMERICAN IDOL is a terrific move.” As that quotation says, FOX will push back the debut of the new series and attach it to the back end of American Idol on May 22 and the debut of So You Think You Can Dance 3 on May 24. Then it will air Mondays at 9 and Tuesdays at 8 starting May 28, although that day will be a two-hour episode that starts at 8. Soooooooo, come on, spill it. Who's on the show in here ;-)? Oh and there is this article from http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20070319fox01 [03.19.07 - 10:12 AM] MARK BURNETT AND STEVEN SPIELBERG’S “ON THE LOT” MAKES ITS SPECIAL TWO-NIGHT SERIES PREMIERE TUESDAY, MAY 22, AFTER “AMERICAN IDOL” AND THURSDAY, MAY 24, FOLLOWING “SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE” ON FOX Released by FOX [NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MARK BURNETT AND STEVEN SPIELBERGS ON THE LOT MAKES ITS SPECIAL TWO-NIGHT SERIES PREMIERE TUESDAY, MAY 22, AFTER AMERICAN IDOL AND THURSDAY, MAY 24, FOLLOWING SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE ON FOX Series Moves to Mondays and Tuesdays Starting May 28 and May 29 Record-Setting 12,000 Aspiring Filmmakers Submitted Films to thelot.com After receiving a record-setting 12,000 video submissions from aspiring filmmakers on thelot.com, FOX has officially entered the summer movie blockbuster race with the new filmmaking competition series ON THE LOT from Mark Burnett, Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks Television. ON THE LOT will now premiere with one-hour audition episodes: on Tuesday, May 22 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) following AMERICAN IDOL (8:00-9:00 PM, ET live/PT tape-delayed), and Thursday, May 24 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) following the third-season premiere of the hit series SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. "Steven and I are enormously thrilled with the response weve had to the call for film submissions via our website thelot.com, said ON THE LOT creator and executive producer Mark Burnett. This confirms our notion that there is an incredible amount of talented filmmakers in the world looking for their big breaks. We are very excited that our partners at FOX have scheduled the launch of this series with the powerhouse AMERICAN IDOL finale and the premiere of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. Coming off of the success of ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER?, launching out of AMERICAN IDOL is a terrific move." A special two-hour Film Premiere episode, featuring the first films produced by the finalists, will air Monday, May 28 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. The initial group of finalists to be eliminated from the competition will be announced the following night on the expanded first Box Office results show Tuesday, May 29 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). ON THE LOTs weekly Film Premiere episodes air in their regular time period beginning Monday, June 4 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), and the weekly Box Office results shows will air on Tuesdays (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) starting Tuesday, June 5. ON THE LOT affords aspiring filmmakers the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to win a $1-million DreamWorks development deal. Each week, the hopeful filmmaker finalists will produce short films from a chosen genre, running the gamut from comedies to thrillers, personal dramas to romance, sci-fi to horror. Theyll have access to the best resources the industry has to offer professional writers, actors and crew to help create their films. After the teams have battled time frames, budgets and all the usual chaos that goes along with filmmaking, their films will debut and be critiqued in front of a live audience during the Film Premiere episodes. But the filmmakers ultimately will be judged by the harshest critics of all the public. It will be America whose votes determine which films should be left on the cutting-room floor. On each Box Office results show, the director whose feature garners the fewest votes will be sent home. ON THE LOT is produced by Mark Burnett Productions, DreamWorks Television and Amblin Television. Mark Burnett and Steven Spielberg are creators and executive producers. David Goffin serves as executive producer with Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey and Conrad Riggs co-executive producers.
Vince Rocca View My Profile	Posted: 3/20/2007 5:26:36 PM The daily views of my trailer have slowed down quite a bit. I think traffic has fallen off now that the contestants have been picked. The other Lotters don't pimp their stuff and watch clips as much anymore. I'm hopeing when the show hits the air, I'll see the views spike up from the current 5000. From what I can tell, I haven't been picked. No one is asking me to shoot anything and Ed McMann hasn't knocked on my door. It's a shame too because I think my intro video is friggin great. Mark Burnett has deprived millions from seeing it, but I'll let you have a peek. It'll be our little secret. Go on click it, I won't tell anybody. Go on, what? are you chicken? Awe, wittle babys chicken. It's 2mb, 50sec, streaming QT file. Go on click it, you know you want to.
cberquist View My Profile	Posted: 3/20/2007 6:43:03 PM You made porno? Sweet. What are the names?
FilmSail View My Profile	Posted: 4/25/2007 9:18:59 AM Carrie Fisher, Brett Ratner, and Garry Marshall will judge On the Lot’s first round http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117963731.html?categoryid=14&cs=1 http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/ So did anyone make it from here?
cps View My Profile	Posted: 4/25/2007 9:31:38 AM Vince, I am a wittle chicken, but I do want to click your link. I'm just not sure I can view it at work? I'll wait 'till tonight. :) -curt
RocketCar View My Profile	Posted: 4/25/2007 10:12:22 AM I clicked it. Wocka wocka wocka. I liked the plumber. Has anyone seen the tv ads for the show? (sorry if it's mentioned above - I haven't read every entry) They seem to focus on FX shots. Guy standing on the street, making a 'vacation video', when suddenly, what's that? UFO's? The camera reels up, UFOs fly over, shoot some cars. Things explode. I'm looking forward to the show (but hey, I watch AI, so I've got no taste when it comes to reality TV). But I thought this was a contest for directors, not FX guys. These aren't "scenes", they're like FX tests. They don't demonstrate writing or directing ability. If these are the submissions they're choosing to pimp the show, does it mean that's the kind of losers they're choosing for the show? I hope not. Hell, I'd even rather see Vince Rocca on there. ;)
Tiffany View My Profile	Posted: 4/27/2007 1:24:45 PM I liked your intro Vince.
Vince Rocca View My Profile	Posted: 4/28/2007 12:51:48 AM "Hell, I'd even rather see Vince Rocca on there. ;)" Kinda makes me sound like a last resort, bottom of the barrel sort of thing, its cool the bottom of the barrel isn't such a bad place to be. Thanks Tiff - Too Bad OTl didn't
SONNYBOO View My Profile	Posted: 4/28/2007 7:43:47 AM I had been in touch directly (over the phone) with Mark Burnett Productions earlier (in January), but I didn't make the 2nd round. It seems the site died down when most people found out they weren't in the running.
cps View My Profile	Posted: 4/28/2007 10:36:08 AM Vince: The intro - classic!